The staff from the Department of Relief and Resettlement under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement conducted search and rescue works and provided the patients with blankets and clothing as initial assistance in collaboration with respective departments after the boat called “Silver Star” sank shortly after a “head on collision” with the cargo ship in Ngawun River near Ohnmardanti Jetty in Pathein, Ayeyawady Region on 7 April evening.
The Vice-Chairman of Natural Disaster Management Committee and Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye together with Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister Mahn Johnny gave words of encouragement to the ferry boat victims who are receiving medical treatment at the People’s Hospital in Pathein yesterday morning. The Union Minister and officials presented K 1.5 million for the ferry boat victims and K 6 million for the deceased through Regional Minister for Social Affairs Dr Hla Myat Thwe.
The Union Minister then met with the regional natural disaster management committee members at the meeting hall of the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department and urged them to focus on preparatory works regarding the natural disasters, taking lessons from the past. It needs to be ready to respond to the natural disasters with the people’s participation, he added. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between the union and regional governments in issuing the statements to win public trust and in carrying out necessary preparations to mitigate natural disasters.
Afterward, the Union minister provided K 259.16 million from the fund of the Natural Disaster Management Committee for the two school-cum-shelters to be built in Pyapon and Bogale Townships and K 22.90 million for digging lakes in Pyapon, Kyonpyaw and Dedaye Townships through the regional minister for social affairs.